Construction of sheet-metal coffins



NITE STATES mics;

CONSTRUCTION OF SHEET-METAL COFFINS.

Specification of Letters Patent No.

T o all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC C. SHULER, of Amsterdam, in the county of Montgomery and State of New York, have invented divers Improvements in Sheet-Metal Coffins, and that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, making part of this specification, and in which a coliin with my improvements is represented as vertically and longitudinally bisected.

The chief peculiarity of this coffin, wherein it differs from other sheet-metal cotlins, and which I specially desire to secure by Letters Patent, is, that it opens at the bottom rather than at the top, presenting` a readier and more rened method of inclosing a corpse. )Vit-h this object in view I construct a shallow tray (j) with a projecting iange (0), upon which liange the main body of the coffin rests, and to which it is soldered air tight when the corpse is inclosed. The upper part of the coffin is constructed entire; the sides (a) and the top (D) being connected by a scrolled joint (b), stiifened on the inside by a light frame (cl). The upper angle of the top (D) is stiened on the inside and on the outside by the frames (e) and (d). The lower edges of the sides (ct) are stitfened by the strips of metal (L) and soldered or riveted thereto. Just above the inside strip (71,), is another inside frame (g) all around the sides. Just below the scrolled joint (o) is another stiffening frame (c) passing entirely around the cofhn. rlhe main body of the coflin being set down upon the tray, in a position for soldering, the ornamental adjustable 25,350, dated September 6, 1859.

base-molding (7c) is slid over the joint, embracing the flange of the tray, beneath, and running in a groove in the top of the stiflening piece This base-molding may be bisected in the middle of the sides, or at the ends; or it may be made in several pieces and put on with screws, the general intention being to conceal the joint. The top of the coffin is perforated for a window (Z), with a metallic blind. The whole may then be painted according to the taste prevalent.

Having thus described my coliin as herewith constructed, I am aware that it may be varied by bringing the sides of the tray (j) on the outside of the walls (a), thus carrying the joint higher up, even to the middle of the sides. I therefore deem it necessary for my protection to make the following claims:

l. I claim the construction of a sheetmetal coflin in two sections stiffened with frames or straps; and in dividing the coflin into two sections I do not confine myself to any particular locality on the sides for making the joint, but claim forming the joint on the side of the walls at any convenient point between the flange (o) and the rim (o), and concealing the same with an adjustable molding.

2. I claim the frames (c, d, e, f, g, 7L, and z') for stiffening the coflin substantially as described; and also the scrolled rim or joint (b).

rs'AAc c. si-IULER.

l/Vitnesses:

CHARLES P. WINEGAR, ISAAC SoULEs. 

